A Thistle Farms Wedding for Elam Mangum & Spencer Freeman

“Weddings cost a lot of money, and we wanted to be good stewards of where that money was going,” explains Elam Freeman of the decision to host her and husband Spencer Freeman’s wedding reception at Nashville’s The Café at Thistle Farms. “I have always admired Magdalene House and Thistle Farms as a sustainable nonprofit and social enterprise, so when I heard that The Café at Thistle Farms rented out their space for events, I was sold!” Thistle Farms’ mission is to heal, empower and employ women survivors of trafficking, prostitution and addiction. The organization encompasses Magdalene, a residential program, a bath and body care product line, marketplace, workshop, education and training center and The Café at Thistle Farms.

Following Elam and Spencer’s wedding ceremony at Owen Chapel just south of Nashville in Brentwood, The Café at Thistle Farms welcomed 100 guests for the reception. “It was so special that the waitstaff were women who had been through the Magdalene program and were now employed by Thistle Farms. In just a few hours, they transformed the space from its regular use as a cafe into a reception venue with everything set up just as we wanted,” Elam tells us. “They took pride in every detail and in addition, joined in on the dancing at one point to show us a few dance moves!”

Nine months earlier, when Elam still answered to Elam Mangum, Spencer ask her to be his wife. The pair met during their freshman year at Pepperdine University (in a class led by the minister who would later officiate their wedding) in Malibu, California, and they began dating their junior year. In August of 2015, while Elam was living in Malibu, Spencer returned from a summer in Tel Aviv, and upon his return, he surprised Elam with a beachfront proposal. As is common with engagements, the bride-to-be was totally surprised.

“Spencer was standing on the beach with “E” and “S” letters and roses. I was totally surprised,” Elam tells us.

Spencer popped the question on the beach outside of Elam’s Malibu apartment during sunset.

Then, the wedding planning began.

“It was important to us to have a simply, socially conscious and meaningful wedding and reception. We wanted to focus mostly on being with our close friends and immediate family members, so we kept it small,” Elam tells us. With the couple still in California, it was left up to the bride’s mother to handle the majority of the details for their May 2016 wedding in Nashville. “At the end of the day, my mom was the real MVP. In true fashion, she gave every detail attention and truly made sure all the t’s were crossed and the i’s were dotted.”

Each detail was simple, yet perfect. Elam wore an understated lace gown, and her matron of honor wore a neutral dress; the groom donned a sophisticated tux. The floral arrangements and décor were kept to a minimum but livened up the chapel and reception space. Elam was attracted to the chapel for its simple, historic elegance and to the cafe for its rustic feel. “One special thing we did décor-wise was to hang a painting from my family home over the pulpit area [in the chapel].” This work of art depicts faith, hope and love, and it was painted by local artist Kim Thomas.

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Post ceremony, guests made their way to the cafe for a buffet-style dinner with Mediterranean flavors. After dinner, guests dined on desserts, including pumpkin spice cake, gluten and dairy-free cupcakes, carrot cupcakes, key lime squares and vegan dark chocolate brownies.

“I wanted a dress that was simple, elegant and understated. I knew it was the right fit when the girl at the store told me, ‘This one feels like pajamas.'”

Something old: Elam’s engagement ring, made from a diamond and gold ring her grandparents gave her father when he was 18; Something new: her dress, sash and Tom’s wedges; Something borrowed: her mom’s wedding jewelry; Something blue: her eyes!

Elam’s mom was the real MVP of the weekend!

Spencer and his best man have been best buds since they were kids growing up in Oklahoma.

Elam’s matron of honor was her mentor and youth group coach, and she often refers to her as her second mother.

Approximately 100 friends and family members gathered for the celebration of Spencer and Elam’s nuptials!

“I liked Owen Chapel because it is simple, historic and has two front doors, which is unique. We did very little decorating because the church is elegant as is.”

The bride and her father later celebrated with a dance to “Drive (for Daddy Gene)” by Alan Jackson.

Elam’s father walked her down the aisle of Owen Chapel.

In addition to traditional vows, the couple exchanged personal vows during the ceremony.

This good-looking pair officially became Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Freeman.

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Elam’s mother pulled family items, included doilies, table runners and books to decorate the reception space.

In honor of the pumpkin spice lattes they shared on their first date, Spencer and Elam chose a pumpkin spice cake with cream cheese buttercream frosting.

The newlyweds shared their first dance to “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran.

Spencer and Elam’s time in the Middle East helped them develop a love for Mediterranean food, which dictated the menu of chicken and veggie kabobs, tabouli, spanakopita and Mediterranean dips.

The dessert table, which was covered by an antique tablecloth from Elam’s grandmother, featured multiple dessert options.

After dinner and dessert, the dancing began!

The cafe was transformed into a dance floor for Spencer and Elam’s guests.

It was the perfect day for Elam and Spencer!

The happy couple posed in front of the LOVE mural on the side of Good Food for Good People at 4611 Alabama Ave., which is close to the cafe.

Although the wedding and reception were the key events of the weekend, there were other memorable activities on the itinerary. “The days prior to the wedding, we spent time with out-of-town friends giving them a taste of Nashville,” Elam explains. Guests arrived on Thursday evening and made their way to Acme Feed & Seed for dinner and drinking. On Friday, the day before the wedding, friends and family met at Five Daughters Bakery before going for a hike at Radnor Lake. Following the rehearsal dinner at Sopapilla’s, the boys hit Broadway while the gals sipped cocktails at a few of Nashville’s trendiest bars: Old Glory, Bastion and No. 308.

In lieu of a bridesmaids’ luncheon, Elam was joined by some of her closest friends for a bridal breakfast at The Well Coffeehouse.

“I wanted to do it there because all profits go to people in need. Plus, I love their drip coffee, and they have a cool rustic room that you can reserve for small gatherings,” Elam says of hosting the breakfast at The Well Coffeehouse.

They dubbed the walk at Radnor Lake the “wedding walk.”

Friends and family traveled from near and far to celebrate with the couple.

After the evening came to an end, Elam and Spencer embarked on a cross-country road trip! They visited National Parks, stopping in cities like Denver, Boulder and Kansas City, and then spent time in a Breckenridge, Colorado, home overlooking the mountains.